Wilton, Connecticut (June 6, 2023) – One year after losing the Connecticut Women’s Open presented by Crescent Point Private Wealth in a playoff Samantha Morrell got her redemption. Entering the final round of the 24th Connecticut Women’s Open at Rolling Hills Country Club Morrell held a two-shot lead but after falling one shot behind with nine holes to play she dug deep to pull out the victory.
“It took a little while for the win to sink in,” Morrell said after her round. “I think I was so focused and in tournament mode that I really didn’t (let it sink in for a little while). I kept telling myself to not get too ahead of myself and to just grind it out until the last minute. It didn’t really immediately hit me.”
Following a 2-over 37 front nine that dropped the Warwick Country Club assistant professional back to level par Morrell began to turn her day around with an up-and-down birdie from the greenside bunker on the par-5 10th. The birdie moved Morrell back into a tie for the lead with 2021 champion Melissa Siviter (GC of Georgia) at 1-under.
Siviter, playing in the final group alongside Morrell and 13-year-old Arabella Lopez (Redding CC), opened the final round at even-par before quickly moving to 1-under with a birdie on the 465-yard par-5 first. That is where she remained for the next 10 holes and as they made the turn she was in the lead alone.
However, after Siviter bogeyed the short par-4 12th and Morrell rolled in a twisting 30-foot birdie putt on the ensuing downhill par-3 to return to 2-under the lead ballooned back to two shots. Bogeys were traded on the par-4 14th hole keeping the difference at two shots when play was suspended due to lightning in the area with four holes remaining.
“I told myself not to peak at the leaderboard (during the delay),” explained Morrell who to her surprise with the victory earned an exemption into the Epson Tour stop at Great River Golf Club from July 14-16. “It was very tempting to do that, especially with the downtime. I got lunch which was very important. I got to relax a little and I didn’t look at the leaderboard and I told myself it doesn’t matter, I can’t change anything and to go back out like I haven’t had the chance to look at it.”
When play resumed Morrell and Siviter once again traded bogeys on the par-3 15th. Those would be the last blemishes on either scorecard as both players tightened the screws down the stretch. Matching pars on No. 16 sent the competitors and former collegiate rivals turned friends to the penultimate hole separated by two shots. Morrell was even-par and just ahead of the 2-over Siviter.
On the par-4 17th it looked as if Siviter might have a chance to make up some ground. Off the tee, Morrell lost her drive to the right and was forced to punch out around a tree leaving herself a 36-yard pitch shot. Morrell had been short on pitch shots all day long but with the tournament hanging in the balance she wouldn’t make the same mistake again telling herself in the middle of the swing not to leave it short. She didn’t as she almost holed the chip for birdie. Moments later she cleaned up the five-footer for par and carried the lead into the final hole.
Thanks to Rolling Hills CC head pro Ray Ford for sharing this video of Samantha Morrell nearly chipping in for birdie on No. 17. She would save a crucial par on the way to her victory #csga #csgalinks pic.twitter.com/bTv1tzBfiv
— CSGA (@CSGALinks) June 6, 2023
As Morrell and Siviter were duking it out Angela Garvin (Myrtlewood GC) nearly swooped in and stole the tournament. Fresh off her senior year at the University of Maryland Garvin birdied the par-4 16th to move within two shots and then moved within a stroke with a birdie on the par-5 last. Her birdie on the final hole capped an impressive 2-under 71 final round which matched the low score of the day. With Garvin’s work complete all she could do was watch.
Morrell began the par-5 18th with a drive that missed the fairway left but after a good recovery shot she found herself just short of the green in two. Meanwhile, Siviter played aggressively finding the green with her second shot. Morrell played first and hit her third shot long setting up a tricky downhill birdie putt.
Siviter played next and despite missing her eagle putt she was able to tap in for birdie to finish 1-over and in a tie with Garvin. Forced to get down in two in order to avoid a playoff Morrell lagged her birdie putt close and then brushed in one final par putt that sealed the title.
“I have been very close to winning this tournament numerous times and that seemed to be a trend for me in college as well,” explained Morrell who will be playing in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for the third time later this month. “I always felt that I was in the top-five or second place. I called it always a bridesmaid and never a bride and it happened last year but not this year. I am very happy to have pulled off a win in this event.”
Morrell finished the 36-hole tournament even-par with rounds of 71-75 and she was able to hold off Siviter and Garvin both of whom finished in a tie for second at 1-over. 2011 winner Jordan Lintz (Blackhawk CC) made an early charge before settling for a 3-over fourth-place finish. Fifth place was shared by Chelsea Dantonio (Crag Burn GC), four-time winner Liz Caron (Mill River Club), and Alexis Hios (Woodway CC) at 4-over.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Women’s Open is one of 20 championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. The CSGA functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
